Is It Time to Worry About Steve Slaton?

The short answer is no.  And here's why.  I will grant you that Slaton had a miserable and unproductive preseason.  I will also grant you that Slaton had a terrible first game against the Jets.  But don't worry, he'll be fine, and here's why:

 
1.  Zone blocking.  The system that offensive line coach Alex Gibbs runs has been successful in the NFL for a long time.  He's taken less-talented backs and slower backs and turned them into 1,000-yard rushers.  He's taken offensive lines with less talent and produced top rushing attacks. 

Look at what happened in Atlanta.  They were first in the league in rushing with a less-talented line. 

The blocking will be there.  The line, led by Eric Winston, will open holes for Slaton.  One cut, then boom!  He'll hit the hole and accelerate.  Slaton is one of the best in the league at the one-cut system.  Things will be fine.

2.  Track record.  Look at what Slaton did at West Virgina. He had a monster rookie season, rushing for nearly 1,300 yards.  This was his first year in the league and the team's first in Gibbs' system.  The line returns with the addition of All-SEC center Antoine Caldwell. One would think another season together would improve the team's rushing attack. 

Furthermore, last season the Titans (this week's opponent) allowed two backs to rush for 100 yards in a game.  Slaton was one.  The other? Slaton.  Think about that.  The Titans defense, then led by mammoth Albert Haynesworth, allowed only Slaton to run for over 100 yards against them. 

I wouldn't say he "owns" the Titans, but Slaton has had success in the past and should continue that trend.

3.  Rex Ryan.  One cannot discount the Rex Ryan factor.  Slaton's two worst games as a pro have come against Ryan's defense.  Last season against Baltimore, Slaton (along with the entire team) was shut down. 

In the opener, another Rex Ryan defense shut down Slaton (and the whole offense).  An aggressive 3-4 defense has always given the Texans trouble.  Look at the linebackers he's had:  Ray Lewis, Bart Scott, and David Harris. 

A lot of teams have trouble against those defenses, like Pittsburgh and Baltimore last year and the Jets this season.  It's definitely something the coaches desperately need to work on.  But not all is lost.  The Jets game falls on the coaches.  Slaton will be fine.

In the end, perhaps all we're truly left with is optimism (some could even say blind optimism), but I'm not worried about Slaton.  The offense will improve.  One bad game (and it was truly a bad game) does not end a season. 

So, don't worry and enjoy the game against the Titans.  It may prove difficult to win in Nashville, but nothing good ever comes easy.  Plus, even if the Texans lose this Sunday, evening up the record should be an attainable goal—the next two games are against Jacksonville and Oakland.